Latest news with #Pemulwuy
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
PM needs to be wary of becoming too reliant on China
While a fair portion of what Peter Hartcher said in his article was fair enough ('' Adolescent' nation coming of age ', July 19), there was no mention of how Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Beijing trip is going to make us even more reliant on China for trade given that Albanese has said this was his main aim. In fact, we are reliant on China for just about everything except food. Our free trade agreements over the years, especially those with China, have successfully killed most of our manufacturing. During COVID, when China decided to punish us instead of doing the hard work of diversifying, our bottom lip started wobbling, we put our cap in our hand and we begged for mercy. Since then, we are even more reliant on China. To be so reliant on any country is stupid, but to be almost totally reliant on a country with a human rights record such as theirs, with such obvious military aspirations, and a country that we see as a possible future enemy, is sheer madness. To me, this is evidence of Australia's continued adolescence. In fact, I think an adolescent would be smarter. Andrew Cronin, Robertson Yes, Australia is being forced to grow out of its adolescence due to Trump's disruption of the world order and the decline of America's central global role. No one, except the myopic opposition, can have any criticism of the way Albanese has been navigating the diplomatic US-China tightrope. His attitude is sensible: 'You don't have time to see me and want to put tariffs on our goods and threaten delivery of the submarines? No problem, we have other friends who want us to join their party.' While the US has been a reliable ally over the past eight decades, its star is waning due to tyranny of distance, its unfettered economic model and its choice of leadership. During this time, a cold, calculated focus on our own long-term self-interest is what Albanese is demonstrating, while not being threatened by pressure from either China or the US. Unless the opposition has a solid game plan to counter the Albo-Wong strategy, it should work with the government to achieve what is best for us. Manbir Singh Kohli, Pemulwuy Capital gains pains Sorry, William Lloyd (Letters, July 19), but most economists expected a CGT to do what any tax does – discourage people from investing in that area. That is what happened to housing from 1985 to 1988, when the entire economy took off. This lasted just two years and property prices fell and remained low until 1999, when John Howard introduced his 50 per cent discount on the amount taxed for CGT. While I know that correlation does not prove causation, house prices took off immediately on the introduction of that amendment and have continued that upward trajectory for 26 years since. Why income from property profits should be taxed at a fraction of the rate that income from any other source is taxed remains a mystery to me. Barry Harrod, Fig Tree Pocket (Qld) Valid criticism Richard Flanagan expertly draws on Jewish writers to demonstrate the folly if our PM adopted the Segal report's recommendations (' PM must disavow and abandon Segal report ', July 19). Antisemitism, like all other forms of racism, is not supported by most Australians. We are at heart the proud outcome of our indigenous and ethnic diversity. Australia is also a democracy. Criticism of the Israeli state or Zionism is neither antisemitic nor racist. Robbing us of our right to criticise the egregious actions of nation states is tantamount to destroying our own democracy. Do that at your own peril. Brian Barrett, Padstow In Australia 2025, Jewish students are harassed on campus, and Jewish artists and academics – even ones with a history of speaking up for Palestinians – are excommunicated for disagreeing with the modern progressive dogma that Israel is evil. Jewish-owned businesses are vandalised and synagogues are burnt. But we are told by Richard Flanagan that 'leading Jewish figures' such as Louise Adler (who in reality represent a fringe minority of Australian Jews) are calling reports of antisemitism exaggerated. We are told that the IHRA definition of antisemitism says that criticism of Israel is antisemitic, when it explicitly says this is not the case. Gaslighting at its finest. Tim Peach, South Perth (WA) As a child of Holocaust survivors, I believe it is essential that the Executive Council of Australian Jewry condemn the war of annihilation waged by Israel's Netanyahu government against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank. It also behoves Jillian Segal, Australia's special envoy to combat antisemitism, to unequivocally condemn the inhumanity of Netanyahu in his ruthless and indiscriminate killing of Palestinian women, children and men according to the false doctrine of 'collective punishment', which is regarded as a war crime by the United Nations and other bodies such as the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice and Amnesty International, among others. John-Janusz Ebel, Caulfield North (Vic) Plastic not fantastic Like most Australian consumers, I want to do the right thing when it comes to recycling plastics. So I was horrified, but not altogether surprised, to read Hannah Kennedy's feature (' The plastic that contaminates our recycling stream', July 19). It seems that despite the efforts of people such as me, companies, watchdogs and governments are all dragging the chain when it comes to plastic recycling standards and product symbols. Silly me. Turns out the whole area is a minefield – businesses labelling their products recyclable when they are not, different local councils with different rules, different rules applying to local and overseas markets, products without symbols indicating they can be recycled when they cannot be – and so on. A dog's breakfast, indeed. It's time to fix this problem. Consumers must lobby their elected representatives and boycott companies that make misleading and sometimes dishonest claims about their products. Jane Mundy, Balgowlah According to Hannah Kennedy's article, many of the product symbols commonly used are misleading and incomprehensible. What about simply having 'Recyclable in Australia' shown on all relevant containers and packaging? It would be simple and effective and make it easy for all to do the right thing. Wendy Crew, Lane Cove North Latham can't be avoided Unless a government has an absolute majority, it will need to work with independents and minor party members to get legislation passed, regardless of political persuasion, moral compass or alleged sins of said parliamentarians. Why, then, do we demonise the NSW government for working with Mark Latham on matters of policy and law (' NSW Labor vowed not to work with Latham. The reality is complicated ', July 19)? He is a member of Parliament and as such, his vote counts. The government is not supporting Latham; it is asking him to support them on political matters. I don't see a problem. Gerianne Rudd, Toowong (Qld) We read that Liberal Upper House leader Damien Tudehope worked with Mark Latham to oppose Labor's controversial cuts to the workers' compensation scheme, which seems to have angered Premier Chris Minns. Yet the premier had no qualms about collaborating with the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party to try to push through these same cuts. The premier has opened the door to a plan by Shooters to establish a new 'hunting authority'. Apparently, Latham's alleged personal foibles count for more than the risk of allowing shooters to intrude onto public land and blast away at supposedly 'game and feral animals'. The approval of night shooting and guns with silencers is a chilling prospect. It would not only be a tragedy for wildlife but for unwary members of the public. Shooters will even be paid a bounty for the kill. We presume that won't be paid on people who cop a bullet. Jan O'Leary, Springwood Correspondent Jack Robertson decries the 'wowserish curtain-twitching and public hysteria about private and consensual sexual behaviours' concerning Mark Latham (Letters, July 19). Meanwhile, Latham was found to have defamed lower house MP Alex Greenwich to the tune of $140,000 in damages in a tweet targeting Greenwich over his sexuality. Can your correspondent please clarify the difference between his pearl-clutching concern about Latham's 'private and consensual sexual behaviours' and the aforementioned Mr Greenwich's 'private and consensual sexual behaviours'? Nick Andrews, Bellevue Hill Trump's Achilles Be very careful, Mr Trump ('Trump taunts Murdoch as he files $15b lawsuit over Epstein story', July 19). You may have been able to dismiss some of your loyal followers over the Epstein saga, and even rid yourself of your biggest donor, Elon Musk. However, Rupert Murdoch is another matter altogether. If you alienate Murdoch, keep in mind his empire has been, and will be, there for a lot longer than four years. Perhaps Murdoch's critics might forgive him for everything if he rids the world of this serial pest. Mary Lawson, Marrickville I read that Trump is suing Murdoch for $15 billion for defamation. His lawyers claim a newspaper article 'malign[s] President Trump's character and integrity'. Question: how can a convicted criminal have character and/or integrity worth $15 billion? Peter Duffy, Burra Has Trump finally done something useful in suing Murdoch? Or has Murdoch actually given us some truth in his rags, calling out a convicted criminal? Paul Fergus, Croydon Wow, I almost find myself in the very strange position of wishing Murdoch well. Judy Hungerford, Kew (Vic) Houses of God I think correspondent Jacqui Keats is being rather uncharitable on the subject of churches building high-rise unit blocks (Letters, July 19). Now more than ever, churches need income, especially to house and sustain their ministers and priests, and all the help and succour they give to society besides providing spiritual support to the community. Churches are also suffering the high cost of living and if it means building high-rise apartments, then so be it. Lynne Zahra, Epping Correspondent Tony Doyle wrote that high-rise apartments built by churches were closer to heaven, but with all those extra cars, they will also need deeper basements. It gets satanically hotter parking down there. Yours warmly. Russ Couch, Woonona Respect the planet Millie Muroi has written an important article about the need for 'clear goals' concerning environmental management (' Like ChatGPT, we need clear goals and rules. Otherwise, we could make bad decisions ', July19). After all, if we don't know where we want to go, it doesn't matter which bus we get on. Unfortunately, the goals we espouse involve growth, especially in terms of the economy and population size, both of which being achieved at the expense of the environment. Since this environment provides our life-support system, it is increasingly imperative to address these damaging growth factors and find sustainable, ethical alternatives. Alan Jones, Narraweena At US behest Does anyone believe that the delivery of the 49 Abrams tanks promised to Ukraine was delayed because of 'logistics challenges' (' Australian tanks arrive in Ukraine after nine-month wait ', July19)? I believe it's more likely the nine-month wait was caused by the need to gain Washington's approval. Australia is at the mercy of United States decision makers – or maker. We have out-of-service, US-made Abrams and don't need them. Ukraine does. Australian pledged to help Ukraine, and in October 2024 we said we would send them 49 tanks immediately. The ABC and others report that the United States refused to give us permission to send the tanks to Ukraine. How could Australia have gotten in this deplorable position? Why would our sovereign country need any other country's permission? This raises the question of what else we need permission from the United States for. Carol Dance, Wollstonecraft Ages of consent While many politicians favour lowering the voting age in Australia and elsewhere, there doesn't seem to be a similar enthusiasm for lowering the age at which young people should be treated as adults in court (' Could Australia follow UK's 'shock' move to lower voting age to 16? ' July 19). If 16-year-olds are mature enough to have an equal voice in selecting the government, surely they are mature enough to accept the consequences of their illegal actions as an adult. Or is this lowering of the voting age just pandering for votes rather than a well-reasoned view of maturity? Remember, once the voting age is lowered, there will be no going back. Steen Petersen, Nanaimo (Canada) Not appy, Jen Thank you, Jenna Guillaume (' The app-ocalypse: Please, I beg, don't make me download one more app ', July 19). I find the world of apps exhausting. Like Jenna, I try to avoid them by using my trusty computer, yet somehow I end up with that dreaded word 'app'. Am I sounding like a grumpy old woman? Perhaps I could find an app to help me. Philippa Reiss, Port Macquarie Harmony to discord Best meme from that kiss-cam moment (' CEO of $1.5b tech firm appears caught out on Coldplay 'kiss cam'? July 19)? 'Coldplay haven't released any singles for ages – but they created two last night.' George Zivkovic, Northmead Bastardly act Richard Glover's article about Australian English, including our multiple meanings of the word 'bastards' – from insult to compliment to collective noun – jogged my memory about a story from the 'bodyline' Ashes series in the 1930s (' Do Australians have the best possible version of English? ' July 19). After a particularly acrimonious session, English captain Douglas Jardine stormed into the Australian dressing room to demand an apology after he had been sworn at by an Australian player. Vic Richardson, the Australian captain, called the team together and asked 'which one of you bastards called this bastard a bastard?' Ian Morris, Strathfield
News.com.au
09-07-2025
- News.com.au
‘Kind, respectful, and beautiful soul': Heartbreaking tribute as man allegedly murdered in case of ‘mistaken identity' laid to rest
Family and friends of a young man allegedly stabbed to death in the driveway of a Sydney west home are gathering to lay the 'kind, respectful, and beautiful soul' to rest at a ceremony in Harris Park. Luke Manassa, 21, died from injuries sustained during the alleged stabbing attack in Pemulway, as he and his girlfriend pulled into a home along Driftway Dr. Police allege two people wearing disguises and dark clothing attacked Mr Manassa, before he was able to get back into his car and drive a short distance. Mr Manassa's funeral will be held at Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral in Harris Park from 11am. A funeral program for the service carries a message from the Gospel of John, reading: 'Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live.' Tributes have flowed for the 21-year-old in the wake of his death, with the Australian Blouza Association – a non-political organisation founded in 1949 by immigrants from the village of Blouza, in North Lebanon – announcing news of his passing with 'great sadness'. On the group's Facebook page, Charlie Baissari wrote: 'Our hearts are deeply broken to hear about the passing of your beloved Angel Luke. It was clear he was a kind, respectful, and beautiful soul — the kind of young man who left a light wherever he went.' 'No words can truly ease the pain of such a tragic loss, but please know our thoughts, prayers, and love are with you all during this heartbreaking time. We are so sorry. With our deepest sympathy, may he rest in eternal peace,' Mr Baissari continued. Mr Manassa's cousin Tash Mansour wrote: 'I'm lost for words. My heart goes to the rest of your siblings Anthony, Danielle, Patrick Grace and Matthew, and your parents Jamie and Theresa.' His brother David, in his own social media post, remembered Luke as a 'rare soul—overflowing with kindness, love, wisdom, talent, faith, and intelligence far beyond his years'. 'Luke left behind a legacy of love and light that will never fade. I'll forever hold the memories I have with him close,' he said. 'And while nothing can ease the pain right now, I stand firm in one hope: that we will be reunited again, in the presence of our loving God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 'Until then, we grieve … but not without hope.' Two boys, aged 16 and 17, have been charged with Mr Manassa's murder. Detective Superintendent Joseph Doueihi last week said investigators had not determined a clear motive for why the 21-year-old was targeted. 'It perhaps (was) the wrong target … more than likely, this is a case of mistaken identity, but it's still early days before we can absolutely confirm that,' he said. Mr Manassa did not live at the Pemulwuy home but was known to visit the property. According to his LinkedIn profile, he graduated from UTS last year and worked full-time as a project manager at his family's demolition business Mann Group.
The Australian
04-07-2025
- The Australian
Teen boys charged with murder after 21yo Luke Manassa stabbed to death at Pemulwuy, Sydney
Police are investigating whether a 21-year-old stabbed to death in the driveway of a home in Sydney's west was mistakenly targeted in a contract killing. Two boys, aged 16 and 17, have been charged with the murder of Luke Manassa at Pemulwuy on June 26. Officers were told two people wearing disguises and dark clothing attacked the 21-year-old when he and his girlfriend arrived at the Driftway Drive property, NSW Police say. Mr Manassa was able to get back into his car and drive a short distance before succumbing to his injuries. He could not be revived and died at the scene. Forensic police at the scene of a fatal stabbing that occurred on Driftway Drive at Pemulway in western Sydney. Picture: Richard Dobson Speaking to reporters on Friday morning, Detective Superintendent Joseph Doueihi said their investigation so far had not revealed why Mr Manassa would have been targeted. 'Investigations today have not identified a clear motive as to why someone would want to (allegedly) murder Luke – he is not known to the NSW Police Force,' he said. 'It perhaps (was) the wrong target … more than likely, this is a case of mistaken identity, but it's still early days before we can absolutely confirm that.' Superintendent Doueihi said police suspected the teenagers charged with Mr Manassa's murder may have been hired to carry out a killing, though it was unclear who may have arranged it or why. He described the attack as 'very amateurish' and said it lacked the evidence of planning typically seen in gang-related hits, including expensive getaway cars or firebombed vehicles. Mr Manassa did not live at the Pemulwuy home but was known to visit the property. Investigators are also considering whether the occupant of the home may have been the actual target. Luke Manassa, was 21, was killed in a stabbing at Pemulwuy on June 26. Police established Strike Force Hickety to investigate the alleged attack. Detectives raided properties in South Penrith, Mount Druitt, and Woodcroft at about 6am on Thursday. A 17-year-old boy was arrested in South Penrith. He has since been charged with murder and fail to comply with digital evidence access order direction. A 16-year-old boy was arrested in Mount Druitt and has also been charged with murder. Both teenagers were refused bail to appear in a children's court on Friday. Video shows police executing a search warrant on the Western Sydney property. Picture: NSW Police Police seized a vehicle they will allege was the getaway car in Woodcroft. Footage released by police shows officers knocking on a property door before entering, speaking with those inside. It also shows a red Kia SUV – the alleged getaway vehicle – being towed. Investigations are ongoing. Mr Manassa graduated from UTS last year and worked full-time as a project manager at his family's demolition business Mann Group, according to his LinkedIn profile. He described himself as a businessman in a podcast appearance, as per 7News. Several have paid tribute to the 21-year-old in the wake of his sudden death. Basketball club Inner West Bulls posted to social media on Monday: 'Our thoughts are with the Manassa family during this difficult time. A tribute posted to Instagram from his basketball team. Picture: Instagram 'We remember Luke not only for his talent, but for the kindness, energy, and brotherhood he brought to the team. 'He was a valued member of the Bulls – strong, kind, and respected by all who knew him. 'We will carry your memory on the court, always.' Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral said on Monday that commemorations would be held this week. 'With deep sorrow, we announce the passing into eternal life of Luke James Manassa from Blouza (Lebanon) who died in Sydney,' the notice read. 'May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.' More to come Robert White Cadet Robert got his start as an Editorial Assistant at the Daily Telegraph in 2024 before entering the Newscorp cadet program. With a background in history and law Robert has a passion for politics and crime reporting as well as telling meaningful stories. @white_robb73416 Robert White
The Guardian
04-07-2025
- The Guardian
Man stabbed in Sydney may have been mistakenly targeted by ‘amateurish' teen contract killers, police say
A 21-year-old allegedly stabbed to death by two teenagers last week in western Sydney may have been killed in a case of mistaken identity, New South Wales police say. At about 10.45pm on Thursday 26 June, authorities were called to Driftway Drive in Pemulwuy following reports that a man had been stabbed outside a house. Officers were told two males dressed in dark clothing and disguises had attacked Luke Manassa, 21, who was with his girlfriend. Homicide detectives a week later executed search warrants in South Penrith, Mount Druitt and Woodcroft. A 17-year-old male was subsequently charged with murder and refused bail to appear in a children's court on Friday. A 16-year-old boy was arrested in Mount Druitt and also charged with murder. He was refused bail to appear in a children's court on Friday. Manassa last week managed to get back into his car after the alleged stabbing and drive a short distance before being overcome by his injuries, NSW police said on Friday. NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the 21-year-old but he died at the scene. Homicide squad commander Det Supt Joseph Doueihi alleged Manassa was the victim of an 'ambush-style attack where two males dressed in dark clothing and wearing face coverings lay in wait at a location in Pemulwuy that the victim was attending'. 'Both were [allegedly] armed with machete, hunting-style knives. Luke sustained a number of stab wounds and subsequently succumbed to those injuries.' Doueihi said police had not identified any motive as to why somebody would want to kill Manassa. He said the 21-year-old was not known to police. The property Manassa was visiting when stabbed was known to police, the detective alleged. Sign up to Morning Mail Our Australian morning briefing breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion 'This could well be a case of mistaken identity … that is a strong line of inquiry that we continue to pursue,' the police commander said on Friday. 'It's probably too early at this stage to, absolutely, confirm that it was a mistaken identity but [we are] certainly heading towards that.' The victim's devastated family wanted everyone to know they believed Luke was an innocent party and that he was at the wrong place at the wrong time, Doueihi said. 'That's the family's message.' Doueihi said the teenagers who had been arrested were 'known to police'. He alleged both had links to western Sydney street gangs. Doueihi alleged the two teenagers had been 'contracted' to commit the killing. 'By the way this offence was [allegedly] executed by these two young persons, it was very, very amateurish … if anything I'd call it disorganised crime.' Police said they had seized knives, communication devices, clothing and a vehicle that was allegedly used to leave the crime scene.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Yahoo
'Disorganised crime': teens may have stabbed wrong man
Two boys charged with a stabbing murder might have been hired for the hit before targeting the wrong man in a case police have labelled "disorganised crime". Luke Manassa was stabbed outside a house in Pemulwuy in Sydney's west on June 26 by two masked assailants armed with machetes who were lying in wait in the driveway. Mr Manassa tried to escape to his ute and drive away but only travelled a few hundred metres before being overcome by his injuries and dying at the scene. Two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, were due to face a children's court charged with murder on Friday. The pair were arrested on Thursday morning but cannot be identified due to their age. The 17-year-old was on bail when Mr Manassa was killed. Detective Superintendent Joseph Doueihi said the teens were known to police for past violent behaviour and association with street gangs. "We believe that these younger offenders were contracted by someone to conduct this killing," Det Supt Doueihi told reporters. But there was no evidence linking Mr Manassa's alleged killers to the wider spate of organised crime violence in Sydney. "It's a very amateurish offence by these offenders," Det Supt Doueihi said. "If anything, I'd call it disorganised crime." Mr Manassa's family are adamant he was not the intended victim and police confirmed he was not known to authorities prior to his death. He did not live at the house he arrived at when he was stabbed but visited there occasionally. "The occupants of that location are known to Luke and are also known to NSW Police," Det Supt Doueihi said. Police have seized a red Kia the teens allegedly used to flee the scene. The pair are the latest in a string of young people allegedly caught up in Sydney's organised crime wave. On Wednesday, two 15-year-old boys were charged over two shootings in Sydney's southwest in June, one of which also involved a potential case of mistaken identity. "The problem is that these young children don't understand the consequences of their actions," Det Supt Doueihi said. "They could end up dead themselves, or they could be victims of some form of retaliation by the people that they tried to target." The killing of plumber John Versace at Condell Park in May was another high-profile case of suspected mistaken identity.
